The US Air Force has received two initial F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, following a successful flight test as part of F-35 flight test operations.
The two F-35 aircraft, AF-1 and AF-2, flew from Lockheed’s final-assembly site in Fort Worth, Texas, to Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Ground and flight test activities for propulsion, aerial refuelling, logistical support, weapons integration and flight-envelope expansion will be carried out on the aircraft at Edwards AFB.
The F-35 test aircraft are supported by the F-35 autonomic logistics information system (ALIS) and managed by Lockheed’s F-35 Sustainment Operations Center in Fort Worth.
A fifth-generation fighter, the F-35 Lightning II combines advanced stealth technology with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment and lower operational and support costs.
Edwards Air Force Base is expected to eventually increase its F-35 test fleet to eight aircraft.
